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Where to watch live music and dine in style

On any given night in Fort Collins, live music can be heard fleeting from bar basements, escaping backyard stages, and blaring from venue loudspeakers. But what happens when 6 p.m. rolls around and the aftermat

On any given night in Fort Collins, live music can be heard blasting from bar basements, escaping backyard stages and blaring from venue loudspeakers. But what happens when 6 p.m. rolls around and the aftermath of a long workday calls for more than just a concert?

The answer is more than a lousy piece of street-made pizza or a handful of pretzels from the bar. Luckily, in Fort Collins, there are many great options for good food, and good music — to be enjoyed simultaneously.

It's not just the name of a mind-boggling number. The restaurant and venue is themed with a mystical charm with full-wall murals and unique hemp curtains. In the summertime, their menu of hearty sandwiches, sweet and savory brunch items (can you say powdered sugar French toast?) and fresh pizzas can be enjoyed on the patio, in front of a stage that hosts acts from opera to rock and jazz to rock. In the winter, the party moves indoors to their venue space attached to the dining room.

Highlights: Every Wednesday during the summer, the venue hosts a free "party on the patio" featuring homegrown talent. Every Sunday, local opera singers put on a show for a $10 suggested donation. During the first week of August, the third annual Avograss Bluegrass Festival combines three days of bluegrass, popular meals and outdoor dancing. See the full event schedule at avogadros.com. Tickets can be purchased on the website or in person. Events range from free to $25.

Burritos, margaritas and an open patio music stage? Old Town Fort Collins gained more than just a new Mexican grill last winter when the -based eatery expanded to Fort Collins. The restaurant not only hosts concerts at all of their locations, but they feed touring artists for free as part of their "Starving Artist" program. Their in-house artist management company, Greater Than Collective, is operated right out of the Illegal Pete's headquarters. Local music and Illegal Pete's are synonymous in Northern Colorado.

Highlights: The outdoor patio stage hosts concerts all summer long. Cobary jam, Bret Cowles of You Me & Apollo and Elise Wunder all take the stage in July. See the event schedule at Facebook.com/IllegalPetesFortCollins. Shows are generally under $10 or free, and advanced tickets aren't required.

A historical former "community hall" has been transformed into a amphitheater, bar and restaurant that draws national acts up the Poudre Canyon to play in the fresh mountain air. With a full restaurant that includes items like Mahi-Mahi and freshly-grilled burgers along with standard bar food like chicken fingers and onion rings, the menu can please the masses. The outdoor patio sits feet away from the Poudre River, just parallel to the full-sized stage. During the winter, both the music and the dining moves inside, but the outdoor playground is open year-round.

Highlights: Legendary electronic funk band EOTO plays July 10, national hip-hop group Jurassic 5 performs on July 19, and Memphis-based country rock band takes the stage on July 25. Concerts range in price from $10 to $50, and a VIP section is available. Tickets can be purchased online, in person, or over the phone.

The former Astoria bar in Old Town was transformed into a dining destination this winter. With a menu featuring Paleo Meat Wraps, Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers, BBQ Pineapple Chicken and vintage-inspired drinks, the regular concerts are just a secondary draw for crowds. An outdoor patio hosts shows every week in the summer and has a capacity of about 60 people. An indoor area holds about 65 people for winter months.

Highlights: A karaoke jam is held every Monday night, for those looking to make some music of their own. Local artists Matt Mahern, Shaley Scott and Dee Tyler have taken the stage this summer, and new shows are always being announced on their Facebook page at facebook.com/cachebaroldtown. Shows are free, unless otherwise noted online.

Right up College Avenue, a few miles out of the heart of Old Town, sits a quaint, river-themed bar and outdoor stage. The uniqueness of this area doesn't stop at its location. During the day, it operates as Mountain Whitewater Descents headquarters, a rafting company that takes locals and tourists alike down the Poudre River all summer long. But when the sun sets and the rafts are back, the area turns into a concert venue with local food trucks on site most evenings. All concerts are free.

Highlights: The Wendy Woo band performs on July 12 and Matt Mahern & Constitution perform on July 17.

In the basement of the Armstrong Hotel sits one of Fort Collins' best-kept secret. The cocktail and tapas lounge not only serves martinis in a beer-laden town, but sweet, sweet jazz is performed weekly by a house jazz band.

Highlights: Executive Chef Troy Heller spent six years as the executive chef for the Stanley Hotel and has cooked for the emperor of Japan, Steven King and Jim Carrey. And while enjoying a five-star meal, soak in the ambiance of decades past. Music is free. See online schedule for special events.